Legacy in Stone: What Millstones Taught Me About the Imprint We Leave Behind

High on the moors in the Peak District, I came across something that stopped me in my tracks.

Scattered among the gritstone outcrops were several huge, weathered millstones. Some perfectly round, others half-formed or broken. These were once carved for sharpening tools or grinding grain or even crushing materials in the mills that powered local economies. But here they rest, never used, never finished. Forgotten? Perhaps. But still present. Still striking.

They weren’t part of any designated trail. No sign pointed them out. And yet, their presence was powerful. Quietly, they spoke of effort, of ambition, and of change. And they left me wondering:

What happens to the work we leave behind?

That moment has stayed with me.

As a coach and mountaineer, I spend a lot of time in places like this, outdoors, in motion, in reflection. The landscape often acts as a mirror. And on that particular day, those millstones reflected a question I often ask my clients, and myself:

What will your legacy be?

Legacy isn’t always about being finished.

We often think of legacy in grand terms: buildings named after us, businesses we built, milestones achieved. But often, legacy is more subtle. It might be a decision we made, a person we encouraged, or a path we walked that inspired others to do the same.

Those millstones weren’t failures. They were part of a process. They were shaped with care and intention. But the world changed, industries evolved, new technologies emerged, and the demand for these stones faded. What was once essential became obsolete.

And yet, they remain. Not as working tools, but as silent markers of a time, a purpose, and a craft.

Sometimes we fear that if we don’t finish something, or if it doesn’t come with a recognisable badge of “success", it doesn’t count. But I believe our legacy is shaped just as much by the effort as by the outcome.

The work we do echoes in ways we may never see.

In coaching, legacy isn’t always about what we leave behind. Often, it’s about what we pass on. And more often than not, it’s passed on quietly.

A question that unlocks clarity.

A challenge that sparks growth.

A safe space where someone finally admits what they’ve been avoiding.

We don’t always get to witness the long-term effect of our conversations or actions. But those effects ripple outwards. Like the millstones, our impact might not be immediately visible, but it’s still there, embedded in someone else’s growth, courage, or direction.

Legacy is personal. And it’s powerful.

In coaching, I often work with people who are high-achieving, driven, and outwardly successful, yet still carry a quiet sense that something is missing. Not in what they’ve done, but in how it all connects. They’ve climbed ladders, hit goals, led teams. But when they pause and reflect, they ask: What’s it all adding up to? What’s the deeper impact I want to make?

It’s a powerful shift, when someone moves from chasing external milestones to creating an intentional, values-led legacy. One that reflects not just what they do, but who they are.

This is where coaching comes in.

It creates space to slow down, zoom out, and reconnect with your purpose. To recognise the influence you already have, and to choose how you want to use it next.

So how do we build a legacy with intention?

Here are three areas I often explore with clients:

1. Reconnect with your values

Your values are the compass that guide your decisions. When you’re clear on what truly matters, beyond expectations or convention, you begin to make choices that align with who you are, not just what you do.Legacy begins here.

2. Redefine success

Success isn’t just about external recognition. It’s about alignment—feeling in flow, purposeful, and proud of how you show up. Your legacy is not just built through outcomes, but through the quality and intention behind your actions.And sometimes, what feels unfinished might be exactly what inspires someone else to begin.

3. Create meaningful impact now

Legacy isn’t something we leave behind when we retire. It’s being built every day, in the way we lead, the conversations we hold, the courage we show, and the people we support. Legacy is a practice, not a project.

As your coach, I’m here to walk with you as you shape your legacy.

Whether you’re navigating a transition, feeling stuck, or sensing it’s time to step into something more aligned, I can help you uncover what truly matters, and take the steps to live it.

Together, we explore the stories you’re carrying, the beliefs that hold you back, and the vision you want to move towards. My coaching isn’t about quick wins. It’s about deep, honest reflection and real, sustainable change.

It’s about discovering the imprint you want to leave, and helping you live it, now.

Final thoughts from the moors

Back on that hillside, I looked at those old stones and thought: Even if they were never used in the way intended, they’ve still made their mark. They’ve become part of the landscape, sparking thought, prompting reflection, and offering quiet wisdom to those who stop and notice.

Legacy doesn’t have to be loud. It just has to be true.

So let me ask you:

• What are you building?

• What matters most to you?

• And what do you want to be remembered for?

If you’re curious to explore those questions, I’d love to support you on that journey.

Let’s talk.